MOREHEAD, Ky. -- Morehead State Soccer's season came to a close in Edwardsville, Ill., after the Eagles fell 1-0 to Southern Illinois University Edwardsville at Ralph Korte Stadium, in the first round of the Ohio Valley Conference tournament. 

"It was a cagey tournament game," said Head Coach Paul Cox. "But that's every tournament game. We lose the game by one goal which seems to be the story of our season and from a preventable set piece. It's not for a time for reflection as we head into 2027."

Morehead State finished eighth in the OVC, claiming a playoff match up with the conference's fifth seed, SIUE.

The Eagles and Cougars kicked off at 8:00 p.m. ET in cool conditions.

SIUE created a corner kick in the first minute, aiding OVC Forward of the Year, Claire Nieroda's two early shot attempts. Both were off frame.

Natalie Lentine took a deep shot in the eighth minute, but her shot was blocked by the Cougars defense.

Hailey Repreza had a free kick opportunity shortly after, but her rocket of a kick sailed wide right.

In the 12th minute, Nieroda launched a ball into the box off a corner kick. It found it's way through the crowd to the right foot of Mckenna Wigfield. Eagle goalkeeper Amira Hendrick made a diving attempt at Wigfield's lightly tapped kick, but her kick found its way into the net, putting the Cougars up 1-0.

The first save of the game came in the 17th minute. Tori Bockstadter took a shot in the bottom left of the box, but Hendrick halted it.

The Cougars attempted a couple more shots before halftime, the closest being a shot from Keira Bumiller from the penalty arc that Hendrick saved, sending the match into halftime with SIUE up 1-0.

The first shot of the second half came in the 60th minute off the foot of Lentine. Her shot sailed just left.

In the 67th minute, Nieroda launched another shot towards the Eagle net, but Hendrick slapped the ball away, allowing the Eagles defense to clear the ball to midfield.

MSU's first shot on goal was in the 71st minute off the foot of Gaia Fubelli. Her shot bounced once and was saved by the Cougar keeper, Sarah Bozeman. 

Repreza had another free kick opportunity in the 76th minute, but her shot sailed directly towards Bozeman to make the save.

Morehead State's final shot of the contest and of the season came in the 80th minute, was once again a free kick from Repreza. Her third shot was the closest to being the equalizer, just missing the left corner and going over the top.

SIUE would defend well in the final 10 minutes, and hold on to defeat the Eagles, 1-0.

The Eagles made great improvements compared to their 4-0 loss against SIUE in the regular season, limiting the Cougars to one goal on just four shots on goal.

The Cougars led in shots 9-6, while Hendrick led Bozeman in saves 3-2. SIUE created nine corner kicks, while MSU failed to reach the corner. The Cougars also led in fouls 16-9, while both teams were given a singular yellow card.

The Eagles say goodbye to four of the program's seniors. Hannah Burke, Hannah Carter, Molly Tapak and Gwen Ladd.

SIUE advances on to face Lindenwood in the second round of the OVC Tournament, Thursday, Nov. 8, in St. Charles, Missouri.